Locking device



Aug. 16, 1966 J. J. ENNITT 3,266,278

LOCKING DEVICE Filed June 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l M, du, fung ug. 16, 1966 J. J ENNlTT 3,266,278

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United States Patent C 3,266,278 UUCKING DlWlClE .lohn J. Ennitt, Bank of Montreal, Hollis St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Fiicd .lune '7, 1963, Ser. No. 286,386 7 Claims. (Cl. Nl- 277) This invention relates to a locking device generally and more specifically to an electrical circuit maker and breaker for a locking device.

lt has been proposed heretofore to provide electrical locking devices which include a lock and key which are adapted to be connected in a circuit with means for operating the latch. The lock and key are constructed so that upon insertion of the key, the circuit is completed and the latch operating means is energized.

It has been the usual practice to provide `the conventional lock having tumblers with contacts on the tumblers. The key, having the conventional shape formed to cooperate with the tumblers, is provided with means -to complete a circuit through the tumblers.

Such locks are expensive to manufacture. They are capable of being opened without a key just as the conventional lock. Also, because of the complicated structural arrangement, there is a greater possibility of the lock becoming inoperative.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electric circuit maker and breaker which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

It is another object of this invention to provide a key constructed of plastic or other insulating material with contacts embedded therein to activate the circuit maker and breaker.

It is a further object to provide an electric circuit maker and breaker for a locking device which will energize an alarm and which includes means to prevent actuation of the lock upon insertion of an improper key.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an electric circuit maker and breaker which utilizes electrical means to actuate the latch for locking or unlocking.

These and other objects of the invention may be accomplished according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the circuit maker and breaker housing includes stationary contact means connected in a first circuit to actuate the latch means when the circuit is completed. A key is provided having contacts located in predetermined positions and adapted to engage selective contacts in the stationary contact means to complete the circuit.

The stationary contact means includes second circuit means which, when completed, will actuated means to maintain the first mentioned circuit open and also will actuate an alarm.

Upon completion of the first circuit, the latch means is actuated by electrical means. In one embodiment, the latch means comprises a bolt which is spring urged into locking position. A solenoid is actuated by the circuit to Withdraw the bolt and release the lock. Another embodiment includes an electric motor which, when energized, moves the latch into and out of locking position.

The various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is an enlarged top sectional View of the circuit maker and breaker with the key in place and the circuits for actuating the latch mechanism and the alarm;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the key;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial top sectional view of the circuit maker and breaker with a diierent key therein;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of one latch means with solenoid actuating means;

3,266,278 Patented August 16, 1966 FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of latch means actuated by electric motor;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional View of a further embodiment of latch means actuated by an electric motor; and

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of still another embodiment of latch means, actuated by an electric motor.

The circuit maker and breaker 10 is shown in FIG. 1 positioned in a section of a wall 11. The circuit maker and breaker 10 comprises a housing 12 of suitable material, preferably an insulating material. The housing 12 may be of conventional shape having a flange 13 with a keyhole 14 therein and a keyway 16 extending longitudinally of the housing 12.

Positioned adjacent the keyway 16 vand extending longitudinally thereof is Contact means 17. The contact means 17 is secured rigidly in the housing 12. In the preferred embodiment, the contact means is formed of a plurality of laminae 18, 2l) and 22 which are bonded together. The laminae 18 and 22 consist of metal or metal foil capable of conducting electricity. The middle lamina 2d consists of suitable insulating material such as plastic thereby insulating the lamina 18 from the lamina 22. The laminae 18, 20 and 22 are shown in enlarged thicknesses for purposes of illustration. Actually, the laminae may be very thin.

The lamina 1S has one or more contacts 24 projecting through the insulating lamina 20 and the conducting lamina 22, but insulated from the latter. The number of contacts 24 may be varied according to the desired use of the circuit maker and breaker as will be explained below. The contacts 24 terminate flush with the exposed surface of the conducting lamina 22 which is adjacent the keyway 16. The surface is smooth and fiat, and forms one side of the keyway 16.

The contacts 24 are insulated from the conducting lamina 22 by portions 26 of the insulating lamina 20 eX- tending through the conducting lamina 22 and surrounding the contacts 24, or by separate sleeves surrounding the contacts.

It will now be understood that the contact means 17 provides an electrical conducting surface exposed to the keyway 16 with one or more contacts 24- embedded therein and insulated from this surface. The contacts 24 are also exposed to the keyway 16.

A further Contact 28 is positioned in the housing 12 at the inner end of the keyway 16. The location of the contact 28 may be varied, if so desired.

A key 30 is provided which is adapted for the particular circuit maker and breaker. When the key 30 is inserted into the keyway 16, it connects the contact 28 with a selected one of the contacts 241.

The key 30 may be formed of plastic or other suitable non-conducting material having a conductor 32 embedded substantially midway between the side surfaces of the key 30. The conductor 32 may be formed of a strip or wire of electrical conducting material. The conductor 32 has a portion project-ing through a side of the key and terminating flush with the surface thereof to provide a Contact 34. The inner end of the conductor 32 may project through the tip of the key to provide a further contact 36. The contact 36 may be located elsewhere if desired. It is illustrated in this position t-o cooperate with the contact 28 in the housing 12. As stated above, the location of the contact 23 as well as ythe contact 36 is not critical. `It is important only that they will meet when the key 30 is inserted.

The location of the contact 34 is determined according to the specific circuit maker and breaker with which it is to be used. When the key 30 is inserted fully in the keyway 16, the contact 34 is positioned to engage a predetermined contact 24 in the housing 1:2. The contact E 36 engages the contact 28, thus completing connection of the contact 24 with the contact 23 to complete a first circuit.

Means may be provided, if desired, to insure engagement of the contact 34 with one of the contacts 24. -In fthe preferred embodiment, a movable plate 37 is posi- Itioned in the housing 12 opposite the contact means 17. The plate 37 forms the other side of the keyway 16 and is resiliently urged toward the contact means `17 by a spring 3S. The spring 38 may be formed of a flat strip positioned between the movable platte 37 and the housing 12.

When the key 30 is 'inserted into the keyway 16, the movable plate 37 will urge it against the surface of the contact means 17 to insure engagement of the various contacts.

When the contact means |17 of the circuit maker and breaker device is provided with a plurality of contacts, the circuit maker and breaker device may be utilized to many advantages. lIt could be utilized to energize a lock for the front or main entrance of an apartment building. The various apartments would be provided with locks each of which would be energized by a circuit maker and breaker having a single contact 24 which would be positioned identically with one of the contacts 24 for the lock on the fron-t or main entrance. A tenant could thereby unlock both the main entrance lock and his apartment lock with a single key, but could not unlock the apartment of another tenant without actuating a suitably located alarm.

The rst circuit is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The contact 28 is connected by line 39 to a source of electrical energy 40 grounded at g. The contact 24 is connected through the lamina 18 and l-ine 41 to a normally closed switch 42. The construction of this switch is conventional and need be shown only diagrammatical- 1y. The switch 42 operates to complete a circuit to the latch operating means through a line 43.

A second circuit is provided and is completed through the lamina 22 which is connected by a line i4 to suitable alarm means A. The alarm system could notify the apartment manager in the event someone were tampering with the circuit maker and breaker for any one of the locks. The alarm system could also be adapted to signal directly to the police station, if so desired.

A solenoid 45 is connected across the line 44 to the `line 39, and is operative to open the switch 42 when the solenoid 45 is energized. In this manner, when the second circuit 34-44 is completed and energized, the tfrrst circuit 39-41 is opened and maintained open until the second circuit is de-energized.

The second circuit is energized by the insertion of a different key or other implement used by someone attempting to open the closure. A key which is not made for this particular circuit maker and breaker is shown in the keyway 16 in FIG. 4. The contact 34 on the side of the key engages the exposed surface of the lamina 22 and completes the second circuit 3944 through the lamina 22 thus energizing the alarm A also energizing the solenoid 45 to open the first circuit 39-41. In this manner, the circuit maker and breaker device is not actuated and prevents unlocking except by use of the proper key. Also, if a metal implement were inserted into the keyway d6, it would complete the second circuit by engagement of the contact 2S and the exposed sur-face of the lamina 22.

Turning now to the various latch means which may be utilized with the invention, the rst embodiment comprises a bolt 47 slidably disposed in an elongated housing 4S mounted in a wall W. A spring 56 is provided in the housing 48 and urges the bolt 47 into a receiver in the door D to lock the door in closed position. A solenoid 54 is mounted around the housing t8 surrounding the bolt 47 and is connected to the line 43 of the rst circuit of the circuit maker and breaker. When the first circuit is completed, the solenoid 54 will be energized and will retract the bolt 47 to permit the door to be opened.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are operated by a reversible electric motor M, shown in broken lines in FIGS. 6 and 7, which is connected in the line It?, of the circuit maker and breaker.

The latch mechanism in FIG. 6 comprises a bolt 56 movably mounted in a housing 5S secured in a wall W. The bolt 56 is adapted to move into a receiver 66 mounted in a door D. The bolt 56 has a rack 62 formed thereon or connected therewith to mesh with a pinion 64 mounted on the drive shaft 66 operated by the electric motor M. When the first circuit 'S9-43 is completed by insertion of the proper key 36, the motor is energized to rotate the shaft 66. Rotation of the shaft 66 and the pinion 64- will move the bolt 56 into or out of locking engagement with receiver 60 in the door D.

Suitable limit switches (not shown) may be associated with the bolt 56 to break the circuit and reverse the circuit to the motor when the bolt has reached the limit of travel in each direction. In this manner, when the bolt 56 is inserted fully into the receiver 66, it will contact a limit switch to de-energize the motor and condition the motor so that upon the next energization of the motor, it will rotate the shaft 66 to retract the bolt from the receiver 60. When the bolt is retracted fully, it will Contact a further limit switch to de-energize the motor and condition the motor for opposite rotation upon next being energized. Limit switches may be associated in the same manner with the latches of the embodiments to be described below. Such switches and circuitry are known to those skilled in the art and therefore are not shown in detail.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is actuated in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 6. The drive shaft 66 rotates a pinion 67 to move a latch 68 into and out of locking position. The latch means of this embodiment comprises a semi-circular plate having a rack 70 on its periphery which is operatively associated with the pinion 67. The latch 68 is pivotally mounted in a housing 72 secured in the wall W. The latch 68 is moved into locking position in a receiver 74 mounted in the door D.

The latch means of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is also actuated in the same manner as the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the latch comprises a bolt 76 having a helical thread 78 thereon which engages with threads 80 on a suitable housing 82 secured in the wall W. A receiver 34 is provided in the door D. The receiver may be provided with internal threads 86 to engage the threads 76 on the bolt 76 if so desired. The bolt 76 is screwed into or out of the receiver 84 by a spur gear 88 which is mounted on the shaft of the motor M, and which engages teeth 90 on the bolt 76 to rotate the bolt. Rotation of the bolt 76 will screw the bolt into or out of the receiver 84 according to the direction of rotation.

It will thus be understood that the invention provides a circuit maker and breaker for lock means which can be manufactured economically because of the simplicity of construction. Further, the circuit maker and breaker is practically tamper-proof and provides means for incorporating an alarm system which is actuated if an attempt is made to tamper with the circuit maker and breaker.

The invention also provides electrically actuated latch means including various types of latches which enable the device to be utilized in many various environments.

The invention could also be utilized to advantage in a situation where it is desirable to have two or more persons responsible for opening a lock. For example, the vault in a bank could be provided with an electrically actuated lock mechanism having at least two circuit maker and breaker devices embodying the structure of the invention connected in the circuit of the circuit maker and breaker mechanism. At least two executives of the bank would be provided with keys which would complete the circuit of the actuating means when inserted into the circuit maker and breaker devices simultaneously by the executives.

While the invention has been described and shown in certain embodiments, it is recognized that various other `changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a circuit maker and breaker having a housing with a keyway therein, contact means in said housing adapted to be connected in a circuit with latch actuating means, a further contact in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electricity, and a key adapted to complete said circuit; said contact means having a at surface exposed to said keyway, at least one contact embedded in said surface, a movable plate in said housing disposed adjacent the keyway opposite said contact means, said key having a conductor embedded therein, one end of said conductor forming a contact in the side of said key and the other end of said conductor forming a further contact in the key whereby the contacts of said key engage the contacts in said housing to complete the circuit when said kay is inserted in said key- Way, and means resiliently urging said movable plate against said key to assure firm engagement of the contacts.

2. The combination of a circuit maker and breaker having a housing with a keyway therein, contact means in said housing connected in a circuit and latch actuating means connected in said circuit, a further contact in said housing adapted to be connected to a source of electricity, and a key adapted to complete said circuit; said contact means having a flat surface with at least one contact ernbedded therein and disposed Hush therewith, said key having a conductor embedded therein, one end of said conductor forming a contact in the side of said key and the other end of said conductor forming a further contact in the key whereby the contacts of said key engage the contacts in said housing to complete the circuit when said key is inserted in said keyway, and a second circuit having alarm means connected therewith, said contact means including means for closing said second circuit for operating the alarm means.

3, A circuit maker and breaker comprising a housing having a keyway therein, contact means supported in said housing adjacent said keyway, said contact means comprising a plurality of lamina bonded together, a first one of said lamina formed of metal and having at least one aperture therein, said first lamina having a surface exposed to said keyway, a second lamina formed of insulating material, said insulating lamina having at least one tubular portion extending into said aperture, a third lamina formed of metal and having at least one contact extending through said tubular portion, and both the tubular portion and the contact portion terminating Hush with the surface of said first lamina to provide a contact in said surface which is insulated therefrom.

4. The combination of an electric locking device comprising a circuit maker and breaker, latch means, means for actuating said latch means, a first circuit operatively connecting said circuit maker and breaker with said latch actuating mean; said circuit maker andl breaker including a housing having a keyway therein, stationary contact means supported therein adjacent said keyway, said contact means comprising a plurality of laminae bonded together, a first one of -said lamina formed of metal and having at least one aperture therein, said first lamina having a surface exposed to said keyway, a second lamina for-med of insulating material, said insulating lamina having at least one tubular portion extending into said aperture, a third lamina formed of metal and having at least one contact extending through said tubular portion, and both the tubular portion and the contact portion terminating flush with the surface of said first lamina to provide a Contact in said surface which is insulated therefrom, a further contact located in said housing at the end of said keyway and adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electricity, a key formed of insulating material and having a conductor embedded therein and extending longitudinally thereof, one end of said conductor exposed to the end of the key for engaging said further contact in said housing, the other end of said conductor extending to one side of the key and being exposed for engaging the contact of said third lamina, so that when said key is inserted in said keyway the circuit Will be completed to actu-ate the latch means, said latch means comprises a bolt resiliently urged into locking position and said latch actuating means comprising a solenoid for retracting said bolt.

5. The combination of an electric locking device comprising a circuit maker and breaker, latch means, means for actuating said latch means, a first circuit operatively connecting said circuit maker and breaker with said latch actuating means; said circuit maker and breaker including a housing having a keyway therein, stationary contact means supported therein adjacent said keyway, said contact means comprising a plurality of laminae bonded together, a first one of said lamina formed of metal and having an aperture therein, said first lamina having a surface exposed to said keyway, a second lamina formed -of insulating material, said insulating lamina having a tubular portion extending into said aperture, a third lamina formed of metal and having a contact extending through said tubular portion, both the tubular portion and the contact portion terminating flush with the surface of said first lamina to provide a contact in said surface which is insulated therefrom, a further contact located in said housing at the end of said keyway and adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electricity, a key formed of insulating material and having a conductor embedded therein and extending longitudinally thereof, one end of said conductor exposed to an end of the key for engaging said further contact in said housing, the other end of said conductor extending to one side of the key and being exposed for engaging the contact of said third lamina so that when said key is inserted in said keyway the circuit will be completed to actuate the latch means, said latch means comprises a bolt having threads thereon, and said latch actuating means comprises an electrically driven gear for screwing said bolt into and out of locking position.

6. The -combination of a-n electric locking device comprising a circuit maker and breaker, latch means, mean-s for actuating said latch means, -a first circuit operatively connecting said circuit maker and breaker with said latch actuating means; said circuit maker land breaker including a housing having a keyway therein, stationary contact means supported therein adjacent said keyway,I said contact means comprising a plurality of laminae bonded together, a irst one of said lamina formed -of metal and having an aperture therein, said first lamina having a surface exposed to said keyway, a second lamina formed of insulating material, said insulating lamina having a tubular portion extending into said aperture, a third lamina formed of metal and having a contact extending through said tubular portion, 'both -the tubular portion and the contact portion terminating flush with the surface of said first lamina to provide a contact in said surface which is insulated therefrom, a further contact located in said housing at the end of said keyway and adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electricity, a key formed of insulating material and having a conductor embedded therein and extending longitudinally thereof, one end of said conductor exposed to the end of the key for engaging said further contact in said housing, the other end of said conductor extending to one side of the key and being exposed for engaging the contact of said third lamina so that When said key is inserted in said keyway the circuit Will be completed to actuate the latch means, said latch means comprises `a pivotally mounted semicircular plate and said latch actuating means comprises an electrically driven pinion for pivoting said plate into and out of locking position.

7. The combination of an electric locking device comprising a circuit maker and breaker, latch means, means for actuating said latch means, a first circuit operatively connecting said circuit maker and breaker With said latch actuating means; said circuit maker and breaker including a housing having a keyway therein, stationary contact means supported therein adjacent said keyway, said contact means comprising a plurality of laminae bonded together, a irst one of said lamina formed of metal and having an aperture therein, said rst lamina having a surface exposed to said keyway, a second lamina formed of insulating material, said insulating lamina having a tubular portion extending into said aperture, a third lamina formed of metal and having a contact extending through said tubular portion, both the tubular portion and the Contact portion terminating Hush with the surface of said iirst lamina to provide a Contact in said surface Which is insulated therefrom, a further contact located in said housing at the end of said keyway and adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electricity, a key formed of insulating material and having a conductor embedded therein and extending longitudinally thereof, one end of said conductor exposed to the end of the key for engaging said further contact in said housing, the other end of said conductor extending to one side of the key and being exposed for engaging the Contact of said 'third lamina so that when said key is inserted in said keyway the circuit will be completed to actuate the latch means, said latch means comprises a `bolt having a rack thereon, and said latch actuating means comprising an electrically driven pinion for reciprocating said bolt into and out of locking position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,057,532 10/1936 MacDonald 200-43 2,105,304 l/l938 Wagner 70-277 2,473,664 6/1949 Taylor 3177-134 2,765,648 10/1956 Hatcher 70-264 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

ALBERT H. KAMPE, Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF A CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER HAVING A HOUSING WITH A KEYWAY THEREIN, CONTACT MEANS IN SAID HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED IN A CIRCUIT WITH LATCH ACTUATING MEANS, A FURTHER CONTACT IN SAID HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY, AND A KEY ADAPTED TO COMPLETE SAID CIRCUIT; SAID CONTACT MEANS HAVING A FLAT SURFACE EXPOSED TO SAID KEYWAY, AT LEAST ONE CONTACT EMBEDDED IN SAID SURFACE, A MOVABLE PLATE IN SAID HOUSING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE KEYWAY OPPOSITE SAID CONTACT MEANS, SAID KEY HAVING A CONDUCTOR EMBEDDED THEREIN, ONE END OF SAID CONDUCTOR FORMING A CONTACT IN THE SIDE OF SAID KEY AND THE OTHER END OF SAID CONDUCTOR FORMING A FURTHER CONTACT IN THE KEY WHEREBY THE CONTACTS OF SAID KEY ENGAGE THE CONTACTS IN SAID HOUSING TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT WHEN SAID KEY IS INSERTED IN SAID KEYWAY, AND MEANS RESILIENTLY URGING SAID MOVABLE PLATE AGAINST SAID KEY TO ASSURE FIRM ENGAGEMENT OF THE CONTACTS. 